Resident visas and permanent residence in New Zealand

Resident visa or permanent resident visa

INZ says you can live in New Zealand permanently on a resident visa, but there are rules about travelling. A Permanent Resident Visa lets you travel in and out of New Zealand at any time. INZ describes permanent residence as usually the next step after residence, and says that when you apply you must show you are committed to living in New Zealand.

How to get residency in NZ: the main routes

INZ's resident visas include routes based on skills and on relationships. The ones we cover on this site:

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, for skilled workers with an accredited employer
• The Green List: Straight to Residence for Tier 1 jobs, Work to Residence for Tier 2 jobs
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa

Work to residence

INZ has work to residence routes, including the Green List Tier 2 route, where 24 months of relevant work experience in New Zealand, at the required pay, can lead to a Work to Residence Visa. INZ also publishes care workforce and transport sector pathways to residence.

Interim visa NZ

INZ says that if your visa will run out while it is assessing your application for a new visa, it will normally give you an interim visa so you can stay in New Zealand lawfully. What you can do on an interim visa depends on the visa you had before and the one you are applying for.

Documents typically involved

INZ tells each applicant exactly what it needs. These are the kinds of documents usually involved:

• Evidence for the residence route you apply under, such as a job offer or relationship evidence
• Identity documents, and the health and character evidence INZ asks for
• For permanent residence, evidence of your commitment to living in New Zealand

The process, step by step

1. Identify the route. Skilled, Green List or partnership, depending on your situation.
2. Prepare evidence. Each route has its own evidence requirements.
3. Apply. Some routes start with an expression of interest; others with an application.
4. Interim visa. If your current visa runs out during assessment, INZ normally issues one.
5. Permanent residence. Usually the next step, once INZ's requirements for it are met.

Fees and processing times change, so we do not quote them. Check the current figures on INZ's fee finder and processing times.

How we help

Our Licensed Immigration Adviser can talk through your situation, explain the requirements that apply, help you gather and organise the evidence, and review the application for consistency before it is lodged. Every decision is Immigration New Zealand's to make, and we never promise an outcome.

Immigration adviceAsk about this visa

Residence and permanent residence: questions